FIRST-SALE DOCTRINE
first-sale doctrine. 1.Copyright. The rule that the purchaser of a physical copy of a
copyrighted work, such as a book or CD, may give or sell that copy to someone else without
infringing the copyright owner’s exclusive distribution rights. • With regard to that physical copy,
the copyright owner’s distribution right is said to be exhausted. 17 USCA § 109(a). [Cases:
Copyrights and Intellectual Property 38.5. C.J.S. Copyrights and Intellectual Property §§ 47, 97.]
2.Patents. The principle that the buyer of a patented article has the right to use, repair, and resell
the article without interference from the patentee. • The patentee may still retain control of the
article through terms in the license or sale contract. See PATENT-EXHAUSTION DOCTRINE.[Blacks Law 8th]